UPDATE: 2:35 p.m. – August 24, 2024
A Type 3 Task Force has taken control of the 1,600-acre Sharrott Creek Fire west of Stevensville.
Numerous air and ground units were deployed to protect lives and private property threatened by the lightning-caused fire Friday afternoon.
Evacuation orders remain in effect for the following areas:
- West of the intersection of Kootenai Creek Road and Timber Trail, including the homes along Timber Trail.
- West of the west side of Sharrott Hill Loop, including homes on Blue Grouse Lane, Redtail Hawk Lane, and Porcupine Lane.
- Marmot Trail
- Saint Mary’s Lookout Road, west of Saint Marys Road.
Evacuation warnings apply to the following areas:
- North Kootenai Creek Road and west of Wankantanka Way.
- West of the east side of Sharrot Hill Loop.
- West of the Salish Trail.
- West of the intersection of Saint Mary’s Road and Salish Trail.
- West of Saint Mary’s Road to the intersection with Indian Prairie Loop.
A Red Cross evacuation center has been set up at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Stevensville. Evacuees needing shelter for their animals can contact the Bitterroot Animal Rescue Coalition at 406-363-5311.
Fire department information trailers are available in the Super 1 parking lot in Stevensville.
The Bitterroot National Forest reported Saturday afternoon that four tanker trucks were dropping fire retardant and between two and four helicopters were dropping water on the fire. Officials note that one helicopter was unable to respond due to power outages in Hamilton on Saturday.
100 firefighters are on site to fight the Sharrott Creek fire and additional emergency personnel have been requested. In addition, a district task force with fire engines is available to protect the building.
Crews will work to improve access to the fire in an area west of Saint Mary’s Road and Salish Trail, and west of Redtail Hawk, Blue Grouse and Porcupine Lanes – including portions of Timber Trail. Residents will see firefighters deployed with buckets and firefighting equipment in these areas.
A recorded message is available by calling the Ravalli County Emergency Operations Center at 406-375-6650. Residents are encouraged to download the Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office app for information on evacuation orders and changes. People are also encouraged to register with Hyper-Link to receive emergency notifications from the Ravalli County Office of Emergency Management.
Individuals can register with Hyper-Link by following the links on the Ravalli County website or the Ravalli County Sheriff’s app.
(First reported: 8:48 p.m. – August 24, 2024)
The Sharrott Creek fire outside Stevensville had reached an area of 1,600 acres (about 650 hectares) by Saturday morning.
Evacuation orders issued by the Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office remain in effect, and the Red Cross has set up an emergency shelter at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 100 Middle Burnt Fork Road.
An evacuation order remains in effect for the following areas:
- Kootenai Creek, west of the Timber Trail junction, including the Timber Trail homes.
- The west side of Sharrott Hill Loop, including residences on Blue Grouse Lane, Redtail Hawk Lane, and Porcupine Lane.
- Marmot Lane west of Saint Mary’s Road.
- Saint Mary’s Lookout Road, west of the intersection of Saint Mary’s Road.
Information trailers have been placed in the Super 1 Foods parking lot and the Ravalli County Office of Emergency Services has set up an information hotline at 406-375-6650.
Evacuees needing shelter for their animals can contact the Bitterroot Animal Rescue Coalition at 406-363-5311.
The fire was caused by a lightning strike on Friday afternoon. 100 firefighters are currently on duty and additional emergency services are on their way to the scene.
The Red Cross emergency shelter was set up on Friday evening and offers food and overnight accommodation. There are no showers, however. Funds for medication and psychological care are provided.
Families needing assistance can also call the Montana Red Cross at 800-RED-CROSS.
The following information comes from the Montana Red Cross:
WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING:
Your safety is paramount – grab your loved ones and get out of danger.
However, if you have time to pack, please remember to bring the following items:
- Bedding
- Clothing
- Medicines
- Your child’s cuddly toys, blankets and toys
- Your emergency kit
The Red Cross is urging everyone to be prepared for wildfires in their area.
Follow these steps to ensure the safety of your family:
- Bring your family or household members together and delegate the tasks.
- Prepare an emergency kit to take with you in the event of an evacuation. For a detailed list of items to bring, see www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies.html
- Prepare an information packet with important documents such as medical, banking and insurance records.
- Save a list of emergency numbers on each cell phone.
- Plan ahead for your pets and livestock.
- Agree on a meeting place in case you get separated.
- Plan and practice multiple evacuation routes from your neighborhood.
If an evacuation is imminent:
- For up-to-date emergency information, check local radio and television stations. Download the Red Cross emergency app.
- Limit exposure to smoke and dust. Keep indoor air clean by closing (but not locking) windows and doors. Close curtains, shutters and blinds. Use the recirculation mode on your air conditioner.
- Turn on the outside lights.
- Remove flammable items from patios and porches.
- Open the gates for animals that cannot be evacuated.
- Connect a hose to an outside faucet, mark all water sources on your property, and provide a ladder for firefighters.
- Put your emergency kit in your car. Reverse into the garage or park the car in an open space in the direction of escape, with the windows closed and the keys in the ignition.
- Put your best driver behind the wheel. Turn on your lights, drive slowly and watch for emergency vehicles.
Evacuate as soon as the order is given. Don’t hesitate.
People are asked to sign up for the Ravalli County Sheriff’s app for the latest information on the Sharrott Creek Fire. The Big Sky Horse Park in Missoula offers stabling for horses.
